Intermittent no start 7.3 PSD

[wohtex]

Hi, I have a 2002 F250 7.3PSD bone stock with 86K miles on it of which I put 36K. Recently made a trip from Texas to Colorado and three times had a problem starting the truck. 1st time I refueled at Walmart and the started up and pulled across the parking lot and went in to shop, about 30 min later tried to start truck, turns over like a champ, no smoke noted, all dash gauges normal, no start, took about 15 minutes before I could get it to start and then it runs normal. 2nd time two days later spent the night in Limon Colorado next morning drove about 5 miles to Flying J fueled up, hit the key same as before turns over fine no start, after about 15 minutes of off and on trying I opened the hood to check fuel bowl, everything looked good got back in truck it fired right up ran great as usual. Got to destination same day ( Mar 1st) and since then have had a oil and filter change plus fuel filter change, this morning, two weeks since last episode, drove 10 miles to McDonalds, got ate breakfast took about 20 minutes, tried to start truck same as other two times,after about 15 minutes opened the hood fuel bowl full, sat there with hood open a few minutes hit the key fired right up. It is currently at the Ford dealer and their game plan is to keep starting it in hopes that the situation will repeat its self, I don't think that will happen as the problem is to random. Anyone had a problem like this that they solved and can offer suggestions it would be appreciated.

Bill

[trackman]

I Had intermittent Problems on My 2001 of it just Dying out of the Blue but would start back up and run for Days or weeks before it woud do it again. Never a problem Starting but this could happen while I was Stopped at a Lgiht or Driving down the Interstate. It was a Bad Cam Position Sensor. It is a Good Idea to keep one Handy So I bought one first to try and if that wasn't the Problem then I would have it as a Spare anyway. Changed it out and that was the problem. That's where I would Start.

[wohtex]

Thanks Trackman, that's one of the things I was thinking of.

Bill

[donald cabral]

did u ever figure out problem? im having the same thing happen..

[trackman]

Try the Cam Position Sensor First. Hard to Diagnose when it is Intermittent.
Good Idea to cary a spare with you anyway.

[RedneckGirl]

I agree with everyone else...have had this happen twice, and carry a spare in the Ex now. Its a fairly inexpensive part that will leave you sitting on the side of the road when it decides to finally quit.

Just an FYI, Ford recalled the 7.3s for this reason-check with your Ford house, they may do the repair for free.

[Kopperhed]

same problem 3-4 yrs ago......... everything looks good, but no go.....crank but no fire..... occasionally for a few weeks, sometimes twice a day, sometimes every other day........ then it starts dying.....maybe will restart in 15 mins, maybe 4 hrs..... cam position sensor, replaced.

[wohtex]

Donald and anyone else reading about my problem. My problem had gotten more frequent and the last straw was it failing to start after sitting in the garage for 3 hours. I bit the bullet and had the IPR valve replaced, that was about 3 weeks ago and have not had a problem since. I noticed one thing, prior to replacing the valve I had a engine noise which sounded like a rattle that increased with speed, if it had of been a gas engine I would have said noisy lifters, anyway since replacing the IPR valve the noise is gone and the engine seems a lot quieter and seems to accelerate smoother, don't have any idea if they were related or not .
So far I am a happy camper but my wallet is almost $500 lighter.

[roaddogjru]

With either very low or very high ICP the injectors can rattle. Are you using any oil or oil addative that has "lubricity enhancers' in them? These enhancers are teflon and will plug up the ICR. If you are using anything, change to the Lucas Oil Stabalizer.

[wohtex]

No additives in the oil, I get my oil changes at and they put their brand of oil in.

But at this time I do not have any problems with noise or intermittent starting, since replacing the IPR valve it's has been trouble free.

Bill